Paramilitary forces of Pakistan

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Paramilitary Forces of Pakistan
State emblem of Pakistan.svg
Service branches Pakistan Pakistan National Guard

30px Frontier Corps
CFCnwfp.jpg Frontier Constabulary
30px Sindh Rangers
30px Punjab Rangers
30px Pakistan Coast Guard
Airports Security Force Logo.pngAirport Security Force Pakistan Maritime Security Agency

Pakistan Gilgit Baltistan Scouts
Headquarters Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar & Gilgit

The paramilitary forces of Pakistan consist of various organizations constitutionally charged with safeguarding Pakistan from external and internal threats as well as maintaining internal law and order. Their current strength is approximately over 420,000 personnel.[1]

The paramilitary forces can be divided into three categories, performing three distinct roles: Firstly the armed security forces (the Rangers and Frontier Corps), secondly a reserve force (the National Guard), and thirdly the Maritime Security Agency.

The Northern Light Infantry which was a paramilitary force until 1999, is now part of the Pakistan Army.

Strength

A senior Pakistan Frontier Corps Colonel, Commandant of the Pishin Scouts (right), presents United States DEA Administrator Karen P. Tandy (left) with his unit's ballcap at Chaman, Balochistan, Pakistan.
Service Total active duty personnel
Pakistan National Guard 185,000[2]
Pakistan Rangers 100,000[2]
Frontier Corps 80,000[2]
Gilgit Baltistan Scouts 2,481[2]
Frontier Constabulary 30,000
Airport Security Force 8,930
Pakistan Coast Guard Classified[2]
Maritime Security Agency 2,500[2]
Anti Terrorist Elite Force Classified[2]
Total 420,000[3]

Tasks

  • Pakistan National Guard: The National Guard comprises the Janbaz Force and locally recruited militia and are charged with air defense. Also included the dissolved National Cadet Corps and Women's Guard.
  • Pakistan Rangers: The Rangers are two distinct organizations. The Punjab Rangers headquartered in Lahore, Punjab and the Sindh Rangers in Karachi, Sindh. This force has a border security role on the international borders of Punjab and Sindh and perform internal security duties as an extension of the Army. This force is organised on a provincial level but are subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior and are commanded by seconded army generals.
  • Mehran Force: The Mehran Force, based in the Sindh province, performed the same function as the Punjab-based Rangers. The Mehran Force became the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) in 1995.[4] It was a force of 25,000 men divided into "wings" of approximately 800 men each.
  • Maritime Security Agency: The 2,500-strong Maritime Security Agency, headquartered in Karachi, is a coast guard and is responsible for patrolling Pakistan's territorial waters. The MSA is equipped with a former Pakistan Navy destroyer, two coastal patrol craft and four oceanic patrol craft.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. [1]
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Pakistan Intelligence, security Activities and Operations Handbook, Int'l Business Publications, 2011 Edition, pp. 131, ISBN 0-7397-1194-6
  3. The Military Balance 2010, p. 367, International Institute for Strategic Studies (London, 2010).
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External links